Display device



Sept. 25, 1934. w. R. PLUNKETT 1,974,690

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Oct. 27, 1955 a :T 2 i5 3 E M MW WI M ME MW 1H m 14 ll a /8 w :52 jnmmi k z R Y 26 I TTDEIYEYS.

Patented Sept. 25, 1934 srATEs messa e DISPLAY DEVICE William R. Plunkett, San Diego, Calif.

Application October 27,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in display devices and has particular reference to a sign wherein various displays are alternately raised and lowered.

The principal object of the invention is to pro-- duce a device, which will display various signs and in so doing will cause a movement which always attracts attention.

A further object is to produce a device which is economical to manufacture, simple in construction, and easy to operate.

A still further object is to produce a device wherein the displays may be changed from time to time.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. l is a front elevation of my sign,

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the actuating mechanism,

Fig. 4 is a side enlarged elevation of one of the sets of slides or sign bearing blocks, and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing one method in which the slides may be supported. It is a well known fact that the sign which is moving will attract much more attention than a sign which is stationary. Therefore, applicant has provided a sign wherein a series of blocks having different signs thereon may alternately have different surfaces exposed to View. Through a driving arrangement these surfaces are continuously changing, thus attracting the attention of the observer.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a suitable frame having a glass 6, which glass has transparent surfaces A, B and C and opaque sign bearing surfaces D and E. Arranged adjacent the bottom of the frame 5 and to the rear thereof is a housing 7 within which is mounted a motor 8 which drives a gear 9, meshing with a chain 11, which is supported upon a block 12. This chain passes over sprocket wheels 13 and 14 and has mounted thereon a series of teeth 16, which, when in horizontal position, form a rack capable of engaging gear wheels 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23 in succession. This rack 16 is of sufficient length to give each one of the gears 17 to 23 inclusive, a half revolution. To each of 1933, Serial No. 695,525 (01. ill-) these gears is attached a rod 24, the upper end of which rod is pivotally connected to the upper block 27 grooved as at 26 and slidable, for instance, upon rails 28. It is of course understood that these blocks may be slidably supported in any other desired manner. The block 27 is preferably made up of three sections designated by the numerals 27, 27 and 27'. These various sections carry signs thereon which signs are visible through the pane 6.

The operation of my device is as follows:-

When the sign is hung in the window or supported in the window and the motor started, rotation of the motor will transmit motion to the chain 11, causing the rack 16 to move beneath the gears 17 to 23 inclusive, and to rotate them a half revolution so as to cause the crank 24 to move from an extreme elevated position to an extreme depressed position. This motion is transferred to the blocks 27 and the result is that displays contained upon the blocks will be moved from behind the opaque portions D and E and alternately displayed through the transparent portions A, B and C.

It will be apparent that this arrangement will accomplish all the objects above set forth.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

1. In a device of the character described, a frame, a pane mounted in said frame, certain portions of said pane being opaque and other portions being transparent, a plurality of movable blocks positioned to the rear of said pane, said blocks carrying indicia, and means for moving said blocks so as to expose said indicia through said transparent portions.

2. In a device of the character described, a frame, a pane mounted in said frame, certain portions of said pane being opaque and other portions being transparent, a plurality of movable blocks positioned to the rear of said pane, said blocks carrying indicia, means for moving said blocks so as to expose said indicia through said transparent portions, said means including a motor, a plurality of crank arms secured to said blocks, and gearing interposed between said motor and said crank arms.

3. In a device of the character described, a

cured to said blocks, gearing interposed between said motor and said crank arms, said gearing including a flexible chain driven by said motor, a rack secured to said chain, a plurality of gears capable of being alternately engaged by said rack, each of said gears having one of said arms connected thereto.

WILLIAM R. PLUNKETT. 

